For those of you who wonders what a Smith Machine is, then wonder no more. Ever since fitness guru Jack LaLanne invented the Smith machine, it has continued to become a necessary addition to any gym training rooms.
Rudy Smith a bodybuilder actually took the original design and added further enhancements 50 some years ago, which is why it is still named after him. Smith home multi gyms like power racks, are integral to any personal training equipment of any gym regardless of size.
A traditional Smith Machine uses a sleeved barbell attached to a vertical carriage riding on linear bearings on a frame. The user lifts the weight up and down on the glides during squats and presses.
A Smith Home Gym is basically a Smith Machine built in to a multi home gym.
Main attraction of Smith machines is one of safety. There's no need for a spotter since the bar is prohibited from falling lower than the self-spotting pins. If the weight is too heavy or you lose your grip, the bar won't come down on top of you and cause an accident.
Disadvantages of a Smith Machine
Like any exercise equipment, there are always disadvantages. With a home multi gym, the bar uses a fixed plane of motion and you are limited in the number of exercises you can do. Unlike a power rack, the Smith bar cannot move in a natural arc movement making exercises like curls dead lifts impossible to perform.
Likewise, free weight exercises, bench pressing and doing leg presses are also somewhat limited in mobility hence are disliked by fitness enthusiasts.
How Do You Choose a Smith Machine?
If it is going to be part of a home multi gym, try and get a system that comes with stations such as lat pull downs, press stations and low pulleys. Luckily for you, lots of multi home gyms nowadays comes packaged with a Smith Machine hence the name Smith Home Gym or similar.
The Smith design with linear bearings is preferred. It performs more smoothly and more versatile than one made with bushings. Other features to look for include a 7-degree reverse pitch carriage, built-in plate storage holders, and attachments such as leg developer and preacher curls.
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